Peer pressure on pitching staff fuels Nats’ spectacular numbers
It was another day, another stellar start from the Washington Nationals pitching staff.
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If this story sounds familiar, here are some statistical reasons. After Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros, the Nats are major league baseball’s runaway leader in ERA (1.91), opponent batting average (.191), and strikeouts (117). The next best ERA is by the Texas Rangers (2.30). The next best batting average against is by the Toronto Blue Jays (.199). The next most strikeouts have been registered by the New York Yankees (100).
The Nats also lead the league in quality starts (eight), and rank second in WHIP (1.04), behind the St. Louis Cardinals (1.02).
After each game it seems that the Nats starters talk of peer pressure. They don’t want to be the one who throws out a clunker. After going a respectable five innings and yielding just one earned run on Sunday, No. 5 Ross Detwiler was apologetic for lasting only five frames and taxing the bullpen. Such is the standard set by No. 1 Stephen Strasburg (2-0. 1.42 ERA), No. 2 Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 2.04 ERA), No. 3 Jordan Zimmermann (0-1, 1.29 ERA), and No. 4 Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.57 ERA). Never mind that Detwiler (1-0, 0.90) has the best ERA of the bunch.
“Everyone’s pounding the strike zone. Everyone’s doing a great job. I’m just trying to keep up with them,” Gonzalez said. “We got Zim on the mound tomorrow. It looks good for us, and we’re excited about him.”
Gonzalez was brilliant on Tuesday night, working seven quick, stress-free innings, allowing two hits, both singles, and two walks while fanning eight. When manager Davey Johnson removed him after 92 pitches, Gonzalez appeared capable of going the distance.
“I had [Tyler Clippard] ready. That was reason enough,” Johnson said.
The only negative pitching number in sight for the Nationals is bases on balls. They have yielded 39. Only three teams have given up more. The high walk totals aren’t the fault of the starters, who have issued 18 in 74.2 innings. The relievers have walked 21 in 38.1 innings, but have been clutch when in trouble.
Tuesday was an example as Clippard and Brad Lidge stranded runners at second base.
“I have all the confidence in the world in our bullpen,” Gonzalez said. “Even in tough situations they got out of it. That’s the positive out of it.”
On a night when they got only five hits, Tuesday’s victory was another example of the Nats’ small margin of error. But Washington seems to be drawing confidence from the formula.
“I think it’s sustainable because our rotation is so good,” Lidge said.
